Arsenal have gone up to second in the Premier League after a narrow win over Ipswich Town.
Kai Havertz was the Gunners’ matchwinner – with his goal midway through the first half proving the difference between the two sides.
The victory sees Mikel Arteta’s side leapfrog Chelsea to be Liverpool’s closest title rivals – who lead the standings by six points and with a game in hand.
Mail Sport’s HENRY CLARK was at the Emirates Stadium on Friday night to run the rule over the title challengers.
ARSENAL (4-3-3)
David Raya – 6
Difficult to give the Arsenal keeper more than a six, purely because he had so little to do all evening. This will go down as one of the more comfortable games of his career.
David Raya had a quiet night in goal for Arsenal as they dominated proceedings vs Ipswich
Jurrien Timber – 6.5
A tidy display and kept his opposite number, Ipswich’s creator-in-chief Leif Davis, quiet. Saw a rasping drive saved by Arijanet Muric in the first half.
William Saliba – 7
Up against a physical presence in Liam Delap, who wasn’t shy in letting the Frenchman know he was there in challenges, but stood up to the task well.
Gabriel – 6.5
Looked nailed on to score from a corner yet again but somehow headed wide. He might be a defender by trade but those sorts of chances have been the Brazilian’s food and drink over the past few years. A significant miss at 1-0, too, with the nerves growing in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly – 6
Got the nod to start again, even with Riccardo Calafiori available, and didn’t put a foot wrong. Showed maturity on the ball and kept his cool after a coming together with Kalvin Phillips in the second half.
Myles Lewis-Skelly was impeccable at left back as he helped the Gunners keep a clean sheet
Martin Odegaard – 7.5
Orchestrator of Arsenal’s best passages of play but difficult for the Norwegian to make much happen with Ipswich sat so deep. Almost scored after waltzing his way through a sea of blue shirts.
Declan Rice – 6.5
Kept play ticking along but could have done with adding a bit more impetus occasionally with one of his surging runs into the box. Sweetly struck volley from Odegaard’s corner was blocked, denying him a goal of the season contender.
Kai Havertz – 7
Many say Arsenal lack a real fox in the box type of striker but the German was in the right place at the right time to notch the opener. Has now scored more goals than any other Arsenal player during 2024.
Kai Havertz scored the only goal of the game with this strike midway through the first half
Gabriel Martinelli – 5.5
Chosen to lead Arsenal’s attack down the right in the absence of Bukayo Saka but wasn’t afforded much time or space to work his magic.
Gabriel Jesus – 5
Started his third successive games for Arsenal for the first time since December 2023 but struggled to make an impact. Denied the goal his delightful poke between Arijanet Muric’s legs in the first half deserved after straying fractionally off-side in the build-up.
Leandro Trossard – 5.5
A frustrating player who should contribute more goals and assists than he does, but did well to get the better of Ben Johnson before delivering a perfect cross for Havertz.
Leandro Trossard (right) produced a frustrating display but he did well to assist Havertz’s goal
Subs
Mikel Merino (on for Jesus, 72mins) – 6
Almost had an instant impact from the bench but saw his shot well saved by Muric.
Thomas Partey (on for Rice, 87mins) – N/A
Manager: Mikel Arteta – 7
Would have wished his side had made it a lot more comfortable than they did but his players held their nerve to get the job done.
IPSWICH (4-2-3-1)
Muric 5; O’Shea 6, Woolfenden 6 (H Clarke 91), Greaves 6, Davis 6.5; Phillips 6, Cajuste 6 (Taylor 80); Johnson 5 (Broadhead 80), Hutchinson 5.5, Szmodics 5 (J Clarke 71, 5.5); Delap 6 (Al-Hamadi 80).
Manager: Kieran McKenna 6.
REFEREE
Darren England 5.5.
